Emergency Habitat for Catastrophes

ABSTRACT

A modular building architecture is presented. The building structure includes a square or round-shaped modular unit and a loft positioned as an upper story to the modular unit. The modular unit comprises a roof that includes rain water collection gutters and channels or downspouts leading the collected rain water to rain barrels. The collected rain water is then pumped for use in the modular unit. The modular unit also comprises a bathroom and a kitchen that include smaller sized appliances and fixtures. The modular units create a modular system that allows for varying sized structures for various facilities. For example, multiple modular units can be connected together to construct an extended building structure or a medical or service facility. The additional modules would not include a kitchen, bathroom or upper story loft, but would provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters.

BACKGROUND

The availability of adequate shelter is one of the fundamental needs ofa substantial portion of the human population, either due todisplacement after a natural disaster or other circumstances. Often as aresult from natural disasters, which could last many weeks, sometimesmonths, inhabitants of areas exposed to flooding as a result ofhurricane or other natural or man-made conditions will have to wait longtime periods before public utilities, such as drinking water, andelectricity supply, and sewer system are restored. In the interim, lackof a good source of food, drinking water, electricity, and other publicutilities can lead to illness and loss of human life.

Lack of potable water, lack of electrical energy, and the rapidaccumulation of sewage in the inhabitants' surroundings quickly weakenthe resistance of surviving inhabitants against infections, exhaustion,and deterioration of health. Currently, the Federal Emergency ManagementAdministration (FEMA) utilizes mobile homes to meet the needs ofhomeowners displaced due to natural disasters. However, the use ofmobile homes has many drawbacks. For example, the available width of theliving space is limited since these vehicles are designed to be drivenor towed on highways. The rooms in such vehicles are typically verynarrow regardless of the length of the mobile home. Further, the mobilehomes are required to rely upon public utilities and thus requirepermits before the mobile homes can be occupied. Additionally, themobile homes are expensive to maintain, are not easily stored and maycontain large amounts of formaldehyde in their interior structure.Accordingly, a need exists for an inexpensive, easy to set up,re-usable, easily stored shelter with self-contained utilities totemporarily or permanently house people displaced due to naturaldisasters or other circumstances.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof,comprises a building structure that includes a modular unit. The modularunit is typically a square structure, but could also be a roundstructure. The modular unit comprises a roof that includes rain watercollection gutters and channels or downspouts leading the collected rainwater to rain barrels. The collected rain water is then pumped for usein a shower or toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks of themodular unit.

The modular unit also comprises a bathroom and a kitchen that includesmaller sized appliances and fixtures. Additionally, the modular unitcomprises a loft to provide additional living quarters for theinhabitants. Typically, the modular unit would also contain an outsideupper access to the loft for safety.

The modular units create a modular system that allows for varying sizedstructures for various facilities. For example, multiple modular unitsand/or extensions can be connected together to construct an extendedbuilding structure or a medical, service or storage facility. Theadditional modules or extensions would provide additional living and/orsleeping quarters and typically would not include a kitchen, bathroom orupper story loft, but could include a kitchen, bathroom or loft, ifdesired. Typically, the building structure can be installed, dismantled,removed, stored and reinstalled over and over again.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intendedto include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a square-shaped buildingstructure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a building structure furthercomprising a bathroom, kitchen and loft.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the roof of the buildingstructure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the building structure furthercomprising self-contained water tanks.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of multiple modular unitsconnected together back-to-back to form an extended house or facility.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a round building structure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of multiple modular unitsconnected together side-by-side to form an extended house or facility.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a building structure withextensions connected to the right and left of the modular unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof.

Lack of potable water, lack of electrical energy, and the rapidaccumulation of sewage in an inhabitants' surroundings due to a naturaldisaster or other catastrophe, quickly weaken the resistance ofsurviving inhabitants against infections, exhaustion, and deteriorationof health. Currently, FEMA utilizes mobile homes to meet the needs ofhomeowners displaced due to disasters. However, there are many drawbacksfor the use of mobile homes, such as the available width of the livingspace, the requirement to rely upon public utilities and the expenseassociated with maintaining and storing the mobile homes. Accordingly, aneed exists for an inexpensive, easy to set up, re-usable, easily storedshelter with self-contained utilities to temporarily or permanentlyhouse people displaced due to natural disasters or other circumstances.

Accordingly, the disclosed modular building structure provides for aninexpensive, easy to set up, re-usable and easily stored structure. Thebuilding structure includes a square or round-shaped modular unit and aloft positioned as an upper story to the modular unit. The modular unitcomprises a roof that includes rain water collection gutters andchannels or downspouts leading the collected rain water to rain barrels.The collected rain water is then pumped for use in the modular unit. Themodular unit also comprises a bathroom and a kitchen that includesmaller sized appliances and fixtures. The modular units can be used tocreate a modular system that allows for varying sized structures forvarious facilities. For example, multiple modular units can be connectedtogether to construct an extended building structure or a medical orservice facility. The additional modules would provide additional livingand/or sleeping quarters and typically would not include a kitchen,bathroom or upper story loft, but could include a kitchen, bathroom orloft, if desired. Thus, the modular building structure can be installedas temporary or permanent housing with or without infrastructure (waterand sanitary sewer) available. It solves the problem of significant losttime for families who have had their homes damaged or destroyed due to adisaster.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a buildingstructure 100. The building structure 100 comprises a modular unit 102.The modular unit 102 is typically a square structure that is anchored tothe ground, however it can also be anchored to any other suitablestationary structure without altering the overall concept of theinvention. The modular unit 102 typically has a wood or steel frame, butcould also be made out of laminated plastic with no formaldehyde, or anyother suitable building material without altering the overall concept ofthe invention. The modular unit 102 can be pre-fabricated, assembled ata plant and then transported to the desired site, via a flat bed truckor airlifted. Or, the modular unit 102 can be constructed on site. Themodular unit 102 can be lived-in as soon as it is constructed. Displacedhomeowners can move into the modular unit 102 the day it is constructed.Two experienced workers should be able to construct the modular unit 102in one day. The pre-fabrication/modular construction of the modular unit102 will allow it to be re-used and easily stored. The modular unit 102can be stored by stacking in a warehouse.

Furthermore, the modular unit 102 comprises a roof 104. The roof 104includes rain water collection gutters 106 and channels or downspouts108 leading the collected rain water to the rain barrels 116. Thecollected rain water is then pumped for use in a shower or toilet, andpossibly kitchen and bathroom sinks of the modular unit 102.

In more detail, FIG. 2 illustrates a building structure 200 thatcomprises a modular unit 102. The modular unit 102 comprises a bathroom204 and a kitchen 206. The kitchen 206 includes appliances that aresmaller or sized to fit a mobile home. For example, the kitchen 206typically includes a sink, oven, stove, refrigerator, microwave andcabinets. The bathroom 204 is similarly sized and typically includesfixtures such as a shower stall, toilet, sink and cabinets.

Additionally, the modular unit 102 comprises a loft 208 for sleepingpositioned as an upper story to the modular unit 102. The loft 208 isaccessed by an internal ladder 210 or other suitable structure such as astaircase. The loft 208 is for sleeping on cots, air mattresses,sleeping bags or beds. Typically, the modular unit 102 would alsocontain an outside upper access 212 to the loft 208 for safety.

Furthermore, FIG. 3 illustrates a building structure 300 that comprisesa modular unit 102. The modular unit comprises a bathroom (not shown)and a kitchen 306. A loft 308 is positioned as an upper story to themodular unit 102 for sleeping. Furthermore, the modular unit 102comprises a roof 310. The roof 310 includes rain water collectiongutters 312 and channels or downspouts 314 leading the collected rainwater to the rain barrels 316. The collected rain water is then pumpedfor use in a shower or toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinksof the modular unit 102. The roof 310 can also include skylight panels318, solar panels 320 and/or a wind turbine 322. The skylight panels 318provide light to the modular unit 102. The solar panels 320 and/or thewind turbine 322 provide electricity to the modular unit 102.

FIG. 4 illustrates a building structure 400 wherein the utilities areself-contained. The building structure 400 comprises a modular unit 102that is anchored to the ground or other stationary structure, but doesnot rely upon public utilities. Specifically, the water and sanitarysystems are self-contained and typically need to be serviced regularly.For example, the rear-view of the modular unit 102 shows four largetanks (404, 406, 408 and 410) positioned underneath the floor 414 of themodular unit 102. Tank 404 receives rainwater which is pumped for use inthe shower and toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks. Tank 406holds potable water for drinking at the sinks. Tank 408 holds sewage.Tank 410 holds used water from sinks and shower. Tanks 408 and 410 needpumped out periodically. Typically, a service road 412 is built alongthe back of the modular unit 102. This service road 412 allows servicetrucks to access the tanks (404, 406, 408 and 410). For example, tank406 will need to be filled with potable water if there is not enoughrain, and the sludge from tank 408 will need to be pumped outperiodically, similarly to a rural home's septic system. Because theutilities are self-contained, the number of permits required islessened, which allows displaced homeowners to move into the unit theday it is constructed, without waiting 30-60 days to obtain permits aswith a mobile home.

Furthermore, typically the utilities are self-contained, but do not haveto be. For example, the modular unit 102 can also rely upon publicutilities if needed, just as a mobile home would. Thus, the modular unit102 can be installed as temporary or permanent housing with or withoutinfrastructure, such as water and sanitary sewer available.Additionally, a roof top air-conditioning (AC) system or a combined ACand heat pump roof top system could be installed on the modular unit102. The roof top AC and combined AC and heat pump systems could beutilized with public utilities or generator systems in the modular unit102.

Furthermore, FIG. 5 illustrates a building structure 500 comprisingmultiple modular units 102 and 504 connected together back-to-back. Themultiple modular units 102 and 504 create a modular system that can beused to create a customized building structure specific to theinhabitant(s). For example, if it is necessary to increase the size ofthe building structure due to a larger family, another modular unit 504can be connected to the first modular unit 102. The multiple modularunits 102 and 504 are connected together back-to-back, to form theextended building structure 500, entrance from modular unit 102 tomodular unit 504 would be through the kitchen 512 of modular unit 102.The modular units 102 and 504 can be bolted together or secured in anysuitable fashion by any suitable fastening means. Modular unit 504 wouldmerely provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters for theinhabitants, and typically would not include a kitchen or bathroom, butcould include a kitchen or bathroom if desired. An additional loft 508would be included positioned as an upper story to the modular unit 504,enjoined to the loft 506 positioned as an upper story to the modularunit 102. The lofts 506 and 508 would also be connected togetherback-to-back to create an enlarged sleeping area. The lofts 506 and 508would have a single point of access 514 from the interior of the modularunit 102. The utility tanks (516, 518, 520 and 522) below modular unit102 would be positioned to the rear of the modular unit 102, underneaththe floor 524. The utility tanks include four large tanks (516, 518, 520and 522) turned towards the side 510 of the modular unit 102 for access.Tank 516 receives rainwater which is pumped for use in the shower andtoilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks. Tank 518 holds potablewater for drinking at the sinks. Tank 520 holds sewage. And, tank 522holds used water from sinks and shower. Tanks 520 and 522 need pumpedout periodically. And tank 516 will need to be filled with potable waterif there is not enough rain. Typically, the additional modular unit 504would not include the utility tanks (516, 518, 520 and 522), however theutility tanks could be included in modular unit 504 if desired. Ifincluded in modular unit 504, the utility tanks would be positioned asin modular unit 102, to the rear of the modular unit 504, underneath thefloor and turned towards the side of the modular unit 504 for access.

Additionally, multiple modular units 102 and 504 can be used toconstruct a medical or service facility. The additional modular units504 would provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters or medicalexamination rooms. Further, the additional modular units 504 typicallywould not include a kitchen or bathroom, and an upper story loft isoptional, but a kitchen, bathroom and loft could be included, ifdesired. Multiple modular units 102 and 504 can also be used to form acluster of homes or a village for areas destroyed by a natural disaster.Further, the building structure 500 can be installed, dismantled,removed, stored and reinstalled over and over again. Or the buildingstructure 500 can be installed on a permanent basis for a home inoutlying areas. Thus, the modular system allows for varying sizes forvarious facilities, as needed, such as to construct medical or servicefacilities in disaster or war zones or outlying areas. Or, the buildingstructure 500 can be used for short-term applications to shelterdisplaced victims during natural disasters.

Furthermore, FIG. 6 illustrates a building structure 600 comprising around modular unit 602. The round modular unit 602 contains the sameinternal structures as the square modular unit discussed supra. Forexample, the modular unit 602 comprises a bathroom (not shown) and akitchen 606. The kitchen 606 includes appliances that are smaller orsized to fit a mobile home. Typically, the kitchen 606 would include asink, oven, stove, refrigerator, microwave and cabinets. The bathroom issimilarly sized and typically includes fixtures such as a shower stall,toilet, sink and cabinets.

Additionally, the modular unit 602 comprises a loft 608 for sleepingpositioned as an upper story to the modular unit 602. The loft 608 isaccessed by an internal ladder 610 or other suitable structure such as astaircase. The loft 608 is for sleeping on cots, air mattresses,sleeping bags or beds. Typically, the modular unit 602 would alsocontain an outside upper access 614 to the loft 608 for safety.

Furthermore, the round modular unit 602 comprises a roof 616. The roof616 includes rain water collection gutters 636 and channels ordownspouts 618 leading the collected rain water to the rain barrels 620.The collected rain water is then pumped for use in a shower or toilet,and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks of the modular unit 602. Theroof 616 can also include skylight panels 622, solar panels 624 and/or awind turbine 626. The skylight panels 622 provide light to the modularunit 602. The solar panels 624 and/or wind turbine 626 provideelectricity to the modular unit 602.

Additionally, the round modular unit 602 includes self-containedutilities. The water and sanitary systems are self-contained and willneed to be serviced regularly. For example, four large tanks (628, 630,632 and 634) positioned underneath the floor of the modular unit 602hold water and sewage. Tank 628 receives rainwater which is pumped foruse in the shower and toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks.Tank 630 holds potable water for drinking at the sinks. Tank 632 holdssewage. Tank 634 holds used water from sinks and shower. Tanks 632 and634 need pumped out periodically. Typically, a service road (not shown)is built along the back of the modular unit 602. The service road allowsservice trucks to access the tanks (628, 630, 632 and 634). For example,tank 630 will need to be filled with potable water if there is notenough rain, and the sludge from tank 632 will need to be pumped outperiodically, similarly to a rural home's septic system.

Furthermore, typically the utilities are self-contained, but do not haveto be. For example, the round modular unit 602 can also rely upon publicutilities if needed, just as a mobile home would. Thus, the roundmodular unit 602 can be installed as temporary or permanent housing withor without infrastructure, such as water and sanitary sewer available.

FIG. 7 illustrates a building structure 700 comprising multiple modularunits 102 and 702 connected together side-by-side. The multiple modularunits 102 and 702 create a modular system that can be used to create acustomized building structure specific to the inhabitant(s). Forexample, if it is necessary to increase the size of the buildingstructure due to a larger family, another modular unit 702 can beconnected to the first modular unit 102. The multiple modular units 102and 702 are connected together side-by-side, to form the extendedbuilding structure 700, entrance from modular unit 102 to modular unit702 would be through a side entrance in modular unit 102. The modularunits 102 and 702 can be bolted together or secured in any suitablefashion by any suitable fastening means. Modular unit 702 would merelyprovide additional living and/or sleeping quarters for the inhabitants,and typically would not include a kitchen or bathroom, but could includea kitchen or bathroom if desired. An additional loft 706 would beincluded positioned as an upper story to the modular unit 702, enjoinedto the loft 704 positioned as an upper story to the modular unit 102.The lofts 704 and 706 would also be connected together side-by-side tocreate an enlarged sleeping area. The lofts 704 and 706 would have asingle point of access (not shown) from the interior of the modular unit102.

Further, the utility tanks (708, 710, 712 and 714) below modular unit102 would be positioned to the rear of the modular unit 102, underneaththe floor for access. Tank 708 receives rainwater which is pumped foruse in the shower and toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks.Tank 710 holds potable water for drinking at the sinks. Tank 712 holdssewage. And, tank 714 holds used water from sinks and shower. Tanks 712and 714 need pumped out periodically. And tank 708 will need to befilled with potable water if there is not enough rain. Typically, theadditional modular unit 702 would not include the utility tanks (708,710, 712 and 714), however the utility tanks could be included inmodular unit 702 if desired. If included in modular unit 702, theutility tanks would be positioned as in modular unit 102, to the rear ofthe modular unit 702, underneath the floor for access.

Additionally, multiple modular units 102 and 702 can be used toconstruct a medical, service or storage facility. The additional modularunits 702 would provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters,medical examination rooms or storage rooms. Further, the additionalmodular units 702 typically would not include a kitchen or bathroom, andan upper story loft is optional, but a kitchen, bathroom and loft couldbe included, if desired. Multiple modular units 102 and 702 can also beused to form a cluster of homes or a village for areas destroyed by anatural disaster. Further, the building structure 700 can be installed,dismantled, removed, stored and reinstalled over and over again. Or thebuilding structure 700 can be installed on a permanent basis for a homein outlying areas. Thus, the modular system allows for varying sizes forvarious facilities, as needed, such as to construct medical or servicefacilities in disaster or war zones or outlying areas. Or, the buildingstructure 700 can be used for short-term applications to shelterdisplaced victims during natural disasters.

FIG. 8 illustrates a building structure 800 comprising a modular unit102 and at least one extension 802 connected on either or both sides ofthe modular unit 102. The modular unit 102 and extension(s) 802 create amodular system that can be used to create a customized buildingstructure specific to the inhabitant(s). For example, if it is necessaryto increase the size of the building structure due to a larger family,extension 802 can be connected to the right side and the left side ofthe modular unit 102. The modular unit 102 and extensions 802 areconnected together side-by-side, to form the extended building structure800. Entrance from modular unit 102 to extensions 802 would be through aside entrance in modular unit 102. The modular unit 102 and extensions802 can be bolted together or secured in any suitable fashion by anysuitable fastening means. The extensions 802 would merely provideadditional living and/or sleeping quarters for the inhabitants, andtypically would not include a kitchen or bathroom, but could include akitchen or bathroom if desired. Further, only modular unit 102 wouldhave a loft positioned as an upper story to the structure, however ifneeded, the extensions 802 could also have lofts (not shown) positionedas an upper story to the structure.

Additionally, modular unit 102 and extensions 802 can be used toconstruct a medical, service or storage facility. The extensions 802would provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters, medicalexamination rooms or storage rooms. Multiple building structures 800 canalso be used to form a cluster of homes or a village for areas destroyedby a natural disaster. Further, the building structure 800 can beinstalled, dismantled, removed, stored and reinstalled over and overagain. Or the building structure 800 can be installed on a permanentbasis for a home in outlying areas. Thus, the modular system allows forvarying sizes for various facilities, as needed, such as to constructmedical, service or storage facilities in disaster or war zones oroutlying areas. Or, the building structure 800 can be used forshort-term applications to shelter displaced victims during naturaldisasters.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

1. A building structure, comprising: at least one modular unit; whereinthe at least one modular unit comprises a bathroom and a kitchen;self-contained utilities; and a roof with rain water collection guttersand channels leading the collected rain water to rain barrels.
 2. Thebuilding structure of claim 1, further comprising a loft positioned asan upper story to the at least one modular unit.
 3. The buildingstructure of claim 2, wherein there is an outside upper access to theloft.
 4. The building structure of claim 1, further comprising a secondmodular unit connected to the at least one modular unit to enlarge thebuilding structure.
 5. The building structure of claim 4, furthercomprising multiple modular units connected together and utilized toproduce a facility.
 6. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the atleast one modular unit has a wood frame.
 7. The building structure ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one modular unit has a steel frame.
 8. Thebuilding structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one modular unit hasa laminated plastic frame.
 9. The building structure of claim 1, whereinthe at least one modular unit is pre-fabricated.
 10. The buildingstructure of claim 1, wherein the roof contains solar panels forproviding electrical energy to the building structure.
 11. The buildingstructure of claim 1, wherein the roof contains a wind turbine forproviding electrical energy to the building structure.
 12. The buildingstructure of claim 1, wherein the roof contains sky lights for providinglight to the building structure.
 13. The building structure of claim 1,wherein a crawl space or base in the lower region of the modular unitcontains chambers or tanks for holding water.
 14. The building structureof claim 13, wherein the tanks receive rain water, hold potable waterfor drinking, hold sewage and hold used water from sinks and shower. 15.The building structure of claim 1, wherein public utilities are used forelectrical, water and sewer.
 16. The building structure of claim 1,wherein the modular unit is a square-shaped structure.
 17. The buildingstructure of claim 1, wherein the modular unit is a round structure. 18.A building structure, comprising: a first modular unit; wherein thefirst modular unit comprises a bathroom and a kitchen; a second modularunit, connected to the first modular unit; a loft positioned as an upperstory to the first and second modular unit, designed for sleeping;self-contained utilities; and a roof with rain water collection guttersand channels leading the collected rain water to rain barrels.
 19. Thebuilding structure of claim 18, further comprising multiple modularunits connected together to produce a facility.
 20. A buildingstructure, comprising: a first modular unit; wherein the first modularunit comprises a bathroom and a kitchen; a loft positioned as an upperstory to the first modular unit; a crawl space or base in the lowerregion of the first modular unit that contains chambers or tanks forholding water, wherein a first tank receives rain water, a second tankholds potable water for drinking, a third tank holds sewage and a fourthtank holds used water from sinks and shower; a roof with rain watercollection gutters and channels leading the collected rain water to rainbarrels which is then pumped into the first tank; and solar panels and awind turbine positioned on the roof for providing electrical energy tothe building structure.